Today’s coaching resource is one that many class as a classic coaching text:

“Coaching for performance” by Sir John Whitmore

Sir John Whitmore does have a background in sport, having begun his career as a professional racing driver and founding a sport and business training company with Tim Gallwey (Author of such books as The inner game to tennis).

However, you’ll find that as you read this book the main focus is from a business perspective. This does not mean that the skills, models and ideas discussed can not be transfered into other arenas – the book just doesn’t use those examples and you will have to create your own 😉

This book has sold over 500,000 copies in at least 17 languages. It’s a book that has been popular in the corporate world for new managers as it’s presented in a user friendly manner, you’ll find that it’s written in a concise style with any “jargon” clearly explained. Presenting coaching as a method to grow people, performance and purpose.

One of the first coaching models that many coaching schools teach is GROW. You’ll find that this book provides an overview of the model and each section within it’s pages. Which is perhaps why this book is many people’s first coaching book.

Whilst earlier editions will vary in how the book is arranged, you’ll find that the latest edition is divided into 4 sections:

• The Principles of Coaching;
• The Practice of Coaching;
• Leadership for High Performance;
• Transformation through Transpersonal Coaching

The first edition of this book was published in 1992 , whilst the latest and forth edition was published in 2009. The last publication saw the inclusion of a new section on leadership and chapters such as the future focus of coaching. Adding an extra 50 pages to the third edition copy.

You can click the link to go straight to this book on Amazon UK, or Amazon.com

Did you miss Day 7’s coaching resource? You will find it here.